Cleveland Browns Reportedly Consider Trading Quarterback Shedeur Sanders Amid Roster Crunch

Sanders was selected 144th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after earlier first-round speculation, and Cleveland might recoup no more than a Day 3 pick in a trade.
Cleveland’s third-string quarterback, rookie Taylen Green, could be used in game-day running packages; trading Sanders could open a route for Green to serve as Watson’s backup.
Before his back injury, Dillon Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in Cleveland’s preseason finale against New England, earning a 157.9 passer rating.
The Cleveland Browns' surprising 3-1 start has left rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders with little chance to play, sparking trade speculation around the 144th overall draft pick. ESPN reported that Sanders could be moved as Cleveland manages a crowded quarterback room, with some analysts predicting the Browns would trade him rather than hold onto backup Dillon Gabriel when Gabriel returns from injury.
The Browns have not officially confirmed any trade plans, though another report suggested they could make a deal at the right price. As Deshaun Watson thrives as the starter and Gabriel prepares to return, Cleveland faces tough roster decisions about which quarterbacks to keep.
Sanders fell to Day 3 of the draft after earlier expectations he would be picked in the first round. Sporting News noted that Cleveland would likely recoup only a late-round pick if they trade him, making it a low-cost move to clear roster space. With Watson playing well and Gabriel still on injured reserve, Sanders has zero path to meaningful reps this year.
Before his back injury, Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in the Browns' preseason finale against New England, posting a 157.9 passer rating. Once Gabriel returns from the injured reserve list, Cleveland will have three capable signal-callers competing for two roster spots behind Watson. That squeeze may make Sanders expendable.
Rookie Taylen Green, the Browns' third-string quarterback, has potential as a game-day option in running packages. Trading Sanders would clear the way for Green to serve as Watson's primary backup, giving Cleveland a younger player with dual-threat capabilities. AOLreported that analysts believe the move would close the book on Sanders' time in Cleveland.
The Browns have not made any official announcement about Sanders' future. Some reports suggest the team has no trade plans, while others indicate they would consider an offer at the right price. The situation remains fluid as Gabriel gets closer to returning and Cleveland weighs its quarterback depth chart.
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